In the run-up to this election, I've heard more than once from evangelical voters that they will vote for Trump for one reason: the perceived need to seat a conservative Supreme Court justice who will overturn Roe v. Wade.

I have some very, very bad news for you: that won't happen, regardless of who is elected. You've been played.

I get that you think abortion is murder. I happen to disagree, but hey, that's democracy. We disagree about stuff, and the majority rules. Yes, I know you'll say the courts imposed Roe v. Wade on the country. Guess what? That's democracy too. We wrote a constitution, gave the courts the ability to decide what is and isn't constitutional, and agreed to abide by what they decide. This is how constitutional government works, whether or not you like a particular decision.

But that's not why I'm writing today. I'm writing to tell you that the leadership of the Republican Party has no interest in actually outlawing abortion, or introducing prayer in the public schools, or anything else you might happen to care about. I say this because they've had their chance. There was a point at which they controlled both houses of Congress and the White House, during the presidency of George W. Bush, and they did absolutely nothing about such issues. Nothing. They also happened to spend like drunken sailors on leave. So much for their fiscal responsibility, too.

Folks, you've been the puppets of people whose main interest is in perpetuating the privileges of corporate America, and increasing its wealth. Since the vaunted Reagan Revolution, your bosses have gotten fabulously rich, and your pay has stagnated. The housing market fell through, some of you lost your homes, but the money all went to Wall Street, because a Republican president set it in motion. Yet somehow, by saying all the things you wanted to hear about God and abortion and gun control and Obama, they managed to keep you on board, and voting the way they wanted you to.

I get that you're angry. But you're angry at the wrong people, and about the wrong things. And even if Trump wins, you're going to be disappointed again, because a secular millionaire from New York City doesn't really give a damn what you think out there in the pews in Middle America. It's just one more con that he's running.

And meanwhile, you'll be throwing away everything that you say you believe in, voting for a lying, adulterous man who tacitly supports hatred and violence, all for the sake of one issue that they have no intention of actually addressing.

I have no illusions that this will change any minds, but I had to write it anyway, because it needs to be said and I couldn't look at myself in the mirror if I didn't say it.

And I'll leave you with one last thought: this country is already becoming more secular, and the rising generations are watching you to see what you do. In years to come, how you voted in this election will be a litmus test of your morality, and you will be judged by the company you kept and the votes you cast.

Make sure you can live with the choice you make. And hope that you can justify it to your grandchildren when they ask where you stood.